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Important Notice

The Personal Insurance Company will be phasing out the use of the Western Direct Insurance brand with regards to its home and auto insurance policies.

The brand is changing from Western Direct Insurance to The Personal Insurance Company. However, the insurer (The Personal) will continue to be the same as it was under the Western Direct Insurance Program.

Wild Fires, Does Your Insurance Cover It?

Friday, June 29, 2012

Living near heavily forested areas, mountains and foothills poses a greater risk to be affected by wildfires. Depending on the amount of precipitation from the winter and in the spring time, wildfires can be predicted to be more frequent. This spring may be dry in many parts of Canada, and this poses a greater threat for the chance of a wildfire. Knowing how to protect yourself, and your property is crucial. Homeowners need to be aware of what is covered (or not covered) in their insurance policies and the impact of wildfires before they happen.

If a wildfire does happen, dealing with the emotional and financial consequences can be overwhelming. Your home may represent the most cherished item in your ownership and so, it is important to make certain that you have sufficiently protected it from all hazards including wild fires. Most homeowner insurance policies provide coverage for damage and losses occurred from fires, however, you need to check with your insurance provider to make sure that you will be adequately covered.

Generally, the homeowner policy will cover fire damage caused by wild fires to your home and your belongings. Some policies will cover living expenses in case your home needs to be evacuated or reconstructed. owever, wildfire insurance is dependent on numerous factors, such as the number of primary homes in the area and their estimated value. Having a thorough look at your policy will ensure that you are knowledgeable about your policy in the area that you reside. Contact your insurance provider if you are unsure of any of the information stated in the policy.

In the unfortunate event of a wildfire, you will have to submit a claim to your insurance company on any damaged or lost item. Therefore, it is imperative that you have photographs of your belongings. This will then serve as a guide to help you recall your belongings and their estimated value if you ever have to submit an insurance claim. It is a good idea to keep these photos at an out of home location lest they be destroyed in the fire!